Gandalf: the thread on Tolkien's needle

"Mithrandir heard about the Ring first, before Sauron heard about it. But he was dismayed and doubted. For the evil power of this object was too great for any of the Wise to use, unless, like Curunír, he wished to become a tyrant and a sinister lord himself. However, the Ring could not remain hidden from Sauron forever; nor could it be dismantled by the art of the elves. So, with the help of the Northern Dúnedain, Mithrandir stood guard over the land of the Periannath and bided his time. Sauron, however, had many ears, and soon heard rumors of the One Ring, which he desired above all things, and dispatched the Nazgûl to seize it" (TOLKIEN, 2009, p. 386).